Hydraulic door operator



Filed Jan. :0, 1940 4Sheets-Sheet 1 June 8, 1943- H. A. GREENWALD HYDRAULIC DOOR OPERATOR an 3/ 3 \w an m mm 3 R INVENTOR. HAROLD A. GREENWALD ATTORNEY.

June 8, 1943. H. A. GREENWALD 2,321,079

HYDRAULIC 000R OPERATOR Filed Jan. 30, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. HAROLD l4. GREENWAL'D ATTORNEY.

June 8, 1943. H. A. GREENWALD HYDRAULIC DOOR OPERATOR Filed Jan. 30, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 6 RE E N WA L D W ATTORNEY.

HAROLD A.

Patented June 8, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC noon OPERATOR Harold A. Greenwald, Los Angeles, Application January 3c, 1940, Serial No. 316,392

4 Claims.

' This invention relates to closure operators, and more particularly to door operators of the fluid motor type.

An object of the present invention is to provide means for opening and closing such closures as the door or doors of a garage by the occupant of an automobile without the necessity of alighting from the vehicle.

A further object is so to construct the operating mechanism that it is operable with the utmost ease and convenience by properly authorized persons, but is securely locked against operation by others, thereby offering eflicient protection for whatever goods are stored within the space to which access is controlled by the closure.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a door operator of the character described which operates in complete silence.

A more detailed object in this connection is the provision of means for retarding the rate of movement of the door and its operator as it approaches the ends of its stroke, thereby contributing not only to the silent nature of its operation, but reducing the strain on both door and operator by avoidance of slamming, with consequent increase in length of their useful life.

Yet another object is the provision of a hydraulic door operator which receives the energy for its actuation from any suitable supply of water or other fluid under pressure, such as the water supply system of a residence, and yet which is so arranged that it is protected against being rendered inoperative when the temperature of the atmosphere in the vicinity of the door with which it is associated drops below the freezing point.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a door operating mechanism of the character described, which is of very simple construction, thus making it possible to produce the apparatus at low cost, and yet which'is of ample strength to operate even heavy doors efficiently, and sufficiently rugged to assure its eflicient and continued operation without requiring adjustment or other servicing over prolonged periods of time.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred forms of my invention illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a portion of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferred forms within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a door operator embodying principles of the present invention, and illustrating the manner of its association with a door to be opened and closed there- 7 by. Portions of the figure are broken away to reduce its size.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, of the head end of the operating cylinder, showing a portion of the plunger in the position assumed thereby when at the outer end of its stroke, and showing the parts of the valve in their respective positions when in readiness to be tripped to cause the plunger to move toward the inner end of its stroke.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic layout showing the valve-operating parts after the plunger has completed its inward stroke and moved the valve parts to their cocked positions in readiness for tripping to start outward movement of the plunger. 1 a

Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the valve parts tripped from their Fig. 3 position, but before the plunger has started to move.-

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the other end of the cylinder and showing the plunger in the position assumed thereby when at the inner end of its stroke. The plane of section may be assumed to have been taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 with the direction .of view as indicated.

Figure 6 is an end elevation, the direction of view being indicated by the arrow 6 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing a slightly modified form of construction wherein means are provided for retarding movement of the door and its operating mechanism as it approaches the limit of its opening movement.

Figure 8 is a detail view in horizontal section taken through the head end of thecylinder of Figure '7, and showing the apparatus for retarding movement as the door approaches the limit of its closing movement.

Figure 9 is a detail view in vertical section taken transversally of the driveway leading to a door with which an operator "of the present invention is associated, and showing the manually operable control for actuating the apparatus from the driver's position within an automobile upon the driveway.

Figure 10 is an enlarged view in front elevation of the upper end of the control standard of Figure 9. Part of the figure is broken away to reveal the interior construction; and the direction of view is indicated by the arrow 10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a side elevation, partly broken away in vertical section, of a modified form of control valve, and of a modified form of hydraulic system adapting the door operator of'my invention for use in cold climates where protection against Ireezin is desirable. A modified form of actuating mechanism is also illustrated in this figure.

Figure 12 is an enlarged view in plan, partly in horizontal section, of the control valve of Figure 11. A further modified form of actuating mechanism is also illustrated in this figure.

Figure 13 is an end elevation, taken in the direction of the arrow ll of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a detail view in horizontal section taken on the line ll-ll of Figure 12, with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure is a vertical sectional view taken on the line l3l3 of Figure 12 with the direction of view as indicated.

In terms of broad inclusion, the present invention contemplates the provision of hydraulically operated apparatus for opening and closing a door or gate, which apparatus includes control means operable from a point remote from the door, and preferably so situated that it is accessible to the driver of an automobile upon the driveway leading to the door or gate associated therewith, thus permitting openingor closing of the door or gate without the necessity of alighting from the automobile. The apparatus is designed to operate efiicientLv, quickly, and in perfect silence, toward which end it, in one of the illustrated modifications thereof, is provided with means for retarding the rate of movement of the door as it approaches either of its extremes of movement, thereby preventing slamming. In one of its illustrated forms, the apparatus has incorporated therewith means for protecting its hydraulic mechanism against freezing, thus adapting the device for installation in communities where low temperatures are encountered. Different types of actuating mechanism are illustrated, one feature which they all have in common being that they set the apparatus in operation by the simple turning of a handle resembling the door handle of an automobile, and the same type of movement of the actuating handle eflects either opening or closing of the door or gate, as the case might be, depending upon its position at the time the handle is moved. As a factor contributing to the ease of operation of the device, a special type of control valve is illustrated, the details of which make it peculiarly adaptable for use with the door operator of the present invention.

More specifically described, and referring first to that embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, my closure operator is shown as being co-operatively associated with a garage door e of conventional type and mounted upon a pair of brackets I having aligned bearings 3 which support the door 8 for opening and closing movement by swinging about a horizontal axis spaced inwardly from the plane of the door. These bearings 3 are revoluble about trunnions 9 carried by mounting plates I I rigidly affixed to any suitable supporting structure within the garage. It should be understood, however, that this type of door and mounting therefor are merely exemplary, inasmuch as the operator of my invention is equally well adaptable for use in connection with other types of closures and other types of closure mountings.

The operator comprises a cylinder l2 having a plunger 13 reciprocable therein, the rod ll of the plunger being pivotally connected to the door 0 as by a pin it extending through an eye ii on the outer end of the rod II and through a suitable bracket l3 amxed to the door 3. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the plunger moves inwards with respect to the cylinder I2 from the position in which it is illustrated in Figure 1, it causes the door 3 to swing about the axis of its trunnions 8 in a clockwise direction,

valve seat 21.

from the vertical, closed position illustrated, through substantially degrees of rotation, dur ing which the door is raised (such doors are usually balanced by a suitable counterweight or springs), to an elevated position wherein it lies in a substantially horizontal plane, permitting a vehicle to be driven into or out of the garage by passing under the thus opened door.

Whereas the member I4 is termed a "rod" herein, it has been found most expedient to form it of suitable tubing. The head 2| of the plunger I3 is most conveniently mounted on the rod ll by means of a suitable length of tubing 22 which isslipped upon and affixed to the rod M as by welding. This serves as a distance piece between the head M, which is fitted to the bore of the cylinder l2 to establish a sliding and substantially fluid-tight seal therewith, and a valve 23, comprising an annular head 23 carrying a facing 26 of resilient material adapted to engage an annular valve seat 21 (Figure 2) adjacent the end 28 of the cylinder. the end of the cylinder toward which the plunger moves during its outward stroke, the end 23 will be considered herein as the outer" end of the cylinder, and the other end as the inner" end 29.) The valve seat 21 adjacent the outer end 23 of the cylinder comprises an annular plate having an orifice 3| through which the rod H extends, the orifice being amply large to permit fluid to flow from the cylinder l2 to the hollow interior 32 of the head 33 which closes the outer end 28 of the. cylinder. Such fiow can occur, however, only when the plunger is displaced from the outer end of its stroke, inasmuch as when at the end, the valve 23 closes the orifice 3| of the The importance of this detail of construction lies in the fact that the valv 23 is carried by the plunger I3, itself, with the result that even though full pressure remain imposed upon the head 2i of the plunger, urging the plunger to continue its motion after its outward stroke has been completed, the full force of the plunger will be resisted by the valve seat 21 against the valve 23 with a force equal to the force of the plunger. Therefore, even though the head 2| of the plunger, which is required to slide within the bore of the cylinder, might not maintain an absolutely fluid-tight seal with the cylinder walls, all danger of leakage of fluid during the relatively long intervals when the plunger is at the outer end of its stroke, is obviated, since the only possiblepath of escape of fluid from the outer end of the cylinder is through the orifice 3|.

A similarly operating safety feature is provided at the inner end 29 of the cylinder l2. Flow to and from this end 29 is exclusively through an orifice 33 in a valve seat 31; and arranged upon the plunger IS in position to engage the seat 31 and close the port, or orifice 36, when the plunger i3 is at the inner end-of its stroke, is a valve 38, preferably a cup-shaped member of resilient material mounted on the end of the plunger by means of a short stem 33 threaded through a plug ll closing the inner end of the tubing of which the rod i4 is formed.

Beyond the valve seat 21, the head 33 at the outer end 23 of the cylinder is provided with a suitable packing 42, which is retained in sliding and substantially fiuid tight engagement with (Inasmuch as this isthe rod l4 as by a gland nut 48 threaded into the outer end of the head 88. A fluid passage 44 communicates with the chamber 82 between the valve seat 21 and the packing 42. This passage 44 is through a fitting 46 afiixed to the head 88 and serving as the support for a four-way valve .41. Inasmuch as the four-way valve illustrated in connection with the modification of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, is of conventional construction, it will sufllce for the purpose of the present disclosure to explain that it comprises a housing 48 having an inlet 48, an outlet and two working orifices. These working orifices are not shown, but with one of them the passage 44 communicates by a nipple 62, and with the other the port 86 at the other end 29 of the cylinder communicates by suitable tubing 68. Mounted for rotary motion within the housing 48 of the valve 41 is a core (not shown) the stem 66 of which'extends from the housing to receive two arms or levers 61 and 68, respectively. The arm 68 is rigidly attached to the stem 56; whereas the arm 61 is free to rotate thereabout; and the two arms extend oppositely from the stem 56, at least to the extent that the fixed arm 58 extends upwards and the freely mounted arm 51 extends downwards from the stem. The stem 56 and the arm 58 afiixed thereto are designed to swing through approximately 90 degrees of rotation about the axis of the core, any suitable means being employed to limit movement of the core,

such as a pin 6| rigid with and extending from the inner face of a washer 62 which is fitted upon a non-circular portion of the stem 56 so that the washer 62 is locked with the stem 56. The pin 6| projects into an indentation 63 in the valve housing 48; and the shoulders 64 at the ends, of this indentation 68 serve to limit the distance through which the stem 56 and the core can be turned. The result of turning the stem 56 and the core through the angular displacement determined by the length of the indentation is to direct fluid to the end of the cylinder |2 opposite to that to which it was being directed prior to movement of the stem 56. For this purpose, the stem 68 is provided with passages (not shown) adapted, when the stem is in one of its two extreme positions, to connect the inlet 48 with one o! the two working orifices and at the same time connect the other working orifice with the outlet 6|; and when the stem is in its other extreme position, these same passages alternate the working orifices with which the inlet 49 and the outlet 5|, respectively, are connected.

The arms51 and 58 are each provided with a pin 66, 61, respectively rigid therewith adjacent the outer end of the arm; and a coil spring 68 is under tension between these pins. The loosely mounted arm 51 also is provided with means for limiting the distance through which it can be 'rotated, such as a detent 69 afiixed to the arm 51 as by a screw 1|, and having its inner end 12 oilset so as to enable it to extend around the inner end of the other arm 58 without interference therewith. This ofiset end 12 of the detent 69 extends upwards into the space between two lugs 13 and 14 formed on the housing 48 of the valve, the spacing between these lugs determining the distance through which the arm 51 sects the axis about which the arm 68 swin s, or so closely approaches that position that after the arm 61 has assumed this new position, it requires only slight movement of the arm 68 from its then position, carrying with it its associated end of the spring 68, to cause the axis 01' the spring to move sufliciently far past the axis or movement of the arm 58 to permit the tension of the spring to cause the arm 68.to swing to the opposite extreme of its movement. It is apparent, therefore, that the loosely mounted arm 61 serves only as a spring carrier, and that it can be so adjusted that it tensions and so arranges the spring 68 that the other arm, 1. e., the arm 68 which is afiixed to the core of the valve, can be caused to move to its other extreme of movement by imparting to the arm '68 only a slight movement in that direction. In other words, the eflect of this adjustment of the spring-carrying arm 61 is to jcock" the apparatus, placing it in readiness for the valve arm 68 to be snapped to its oppo-. site position by the spring 68 when only a slight starting movement in that direction is imparted to the valve arm 58.

Means are provided for automatically cocking the arm 51 and its spring 68 in this manner, each time the plunger l3 moves, regardless of the direction of such movement. That is to say, regardless of whether the plunger is moving inwards or outwards of its cylinder, the spring 68 and its carrier 51 are automatically moved to that position wherein only a slight movement of the valve arm will then be required to reverse the position of the valve core, and thus supply fluid to the cylinder in such a manner as to cause reversal of movement of the plunger l8. This means for cocking the apparatus conveniently takes the form of a rod 8| affixed to the rod |4 oi. the plunger as by a clamp 82, adjacent the outer end of the plunger rod l4. One end 83 of the rod 8| is bent to extend substantially perpendicularly from the remainder thereof,thus providing a hook 84 adapted to enter a slot 86 in the spring-carrier 51 as the plunger |4 approaches the inner end of its stroke, and, after such engagement has occurred, carry the carrier arm 51 from the position in' which it is illustrated in Figure 1', to the other extreme of its movement, wherein it points downward and to the right as viewed on that figure. The rod 8| is so adjusted with reference to the plunger rod N, that the carrier arm 51 arrives at this described position just as the plunger l3 arrives at the inner end of its stroke, with the result that so long as the plunger I3 remains in this position, the hook 64 remains within the slot 86, in readiness to pull the carrier arm 51 back again to the position in which it is illustrated in Figure 1, when outward movement of the plunger commences.

The other end 81 of the rod serves merelyas a guide to assure proper alignment of the hook 84 and the slot 86 as the former approaches the latter. For this purpose, a bracket 88 is rigidly mounted on the head 33 of the cylinder l2, and this bracket is provided with a hole (not shown) which the pointed end of the portion 81 of the rod 8| is adapted to enter as the hook 84 approaches the slot 86, and thus assure. proper alignment of these parts for their subsequent interengagement.

Means are provided for tripping the mechanism after it has been cocked in the manner described," and thus causing the plunger I3 to move to the opposite end of the cylinder I2 from that at which it is disposed at the time such tripping occurs, and thus moving the door 9 to its open or to its closed position, as the case might be. This tripping mechanism is operable from a remote point, preferably being so arranged that it can be Operated by the driver of an automobile without requiring that he leave the driver's com-. partment oi his vehicle. With this object in view, a standard 9I is disposed adjacent the driveway 92 over which an automobile is driven in order to enter or leave the garage controlled by the door 9. Upon the upper end of the standard 9|, a housing 99 is provided; and in the front of this housing the shaft 94 of an actuating handle 99 is iournalled. The handle 99 and its shaft 94 carry a lock cylinder, the details of which are not illustrated, but which functions to restrain the handle 99 against movement except when the proper key is inserted therein, and thus prevent actuation of the door operator by others than properly authorized persons. The inner end of the shaft 94 carries a lug 91 adapted to engage a stop 99 when the shaft 94 has been turned to one limit of its movement, and another stop 99 when the shaft 94 reaches the other extreme of its movement. The inner end of the shaft 94 also carries an arm IN, to the outer end of which a suitable pull cord, such as a wire I92 is attached, the parts being so arranged that by tuming the handle downwards from the position in which it is illustrated in Figure 8, the wire I92 can be pulled upwards.

From-the arm III, the wire I92 extends downward through the standard 9I through a pulley I99, whence the wire extends through a laterally extending tube I94 aflixed to the standard below the surface of the ground. To the outer end of the tubular extension I94, a length of tubing I99, preferably ductile copper tubing, is releasably to the upper end of the valve lever 99. The parts are so arranged that the arm or lever 99 carries the pin 91 from one side of the plane including the axes of the pin I2I and the axis about which the lever 99 moves, to the other side of that plane and to substantially the same distance therefrom, and the movement of the pin I2I which results from pulling upon the wire I99 is diametrically away from the axis about which the arm 99 moves. Hence, when the wire I99 is pulled. it will start the arm 99 swinging from its then position toward its opposite extreme position; and the interconnection between the arm 99 and its tripping bell crank II9 is such that the movement of the lever 99 induced by the bell crank I I9 in this manner is suflicient to permit the previously cocked spring to complete movement of the valve arm 99 to its opposite extreme of movement, in accordance with the description hereinabove.

It is apparent therefore that only a slight movement of the wire I99 and its actuating handle 99 is necessary to eil'ect reversal of the door operator, 1. e., if the door is in its closed position it can be caused to move to open position merely by turning the handle 99 from the position illustrated in Figure 8 to that illustrated in Figure 7; whereas if the door is closed it can be caused to open by identical manipulation of the handle 99. The rod 94 co-operates with the spring-carrying arm 99 in setting the control 1 mechanism each time the control operates in connected by a coupling member I91 adapted to threadedly engage the outer end of the extension and suitably engaging a section of tubing I99 which is slidably mounted upon the tubing I99 in such a manner that the section I99 and its coupling member I91 can be slid along the tubing I99, away from the extension I94, and thus leave exposed a suflicient length of the wire I99 which is disposed within the tubing I99, to permit the wire I92 to be attached thereto. Any

' suitable type of clamp III may be employed to so attach the wires I92 and I99 together. After such interconnection of the wires I92 and I99 has been completed, the section of tubing I99 and the coupling I" can be slid back into place so that the coupling I" can be threaded upon the extension I94, and thus effect a substantially watertight interconnection between the ductile tubing I99 and the standard 9|.

The tubing I99 and the wire I99 therein contained extend from the standard 9I to a suitable location within the garage. After entering the garage, the wire I99 can continue on without the tubing, provided the inner enact the tubing I99 is so disposed that entry of water thereinto is prevented.- The wire I99 passes over a pulley I I2 (see Figure I mounted upon the cylinder I2, preferably closely adjacent the bracket II9 by means of which the cylinder is supported. From the pulley II2, the wire extends toward the head 99 of the cylinder I2, where it is affixed to the downwardly extending end I I4 of a bell crank I I9 which is pivotally mounted as by a pin II'I upon abracket II9 carried by the cylinder head" 99. The other end II9 of the bell crank H9 is pivoted as by a pin I2I to one end of a link I22, the other end of which is connected as by the pin 91 either direction, so as to place the control mechanism in readiness for subsequent movement of the control in the opposite direction. Say, for example, that the door is closed as illustrated in Figure 1 and the plunger I9 in its outermost position, the spring carrier 99 and the spring 99 will then be cooked so that only a slight movement of the valve arm 99 will be required to cause it to swing through substantially .from the position illustrated in Figure 1; therefore,

when the wire I99 is pulled either by the described manipulation of the handle 99 adjacent the driveway leading to the garage, or by pulling upon the wire I99 itself in the eventthat someone insidethe garage desires to open the door, the bell crank II9 will be swung about its pin III, raising the and H9 of the bell crank, and thus imposing tension upon the ,link I22.

' This will cause the valve arm 59 to swing in a counter-clockwise direction from its Figure 1 position until the center portion of the spring 99 moves in enough past its dead-center position to snap the valve arm 99 clear across to the opposite extreme of its rotary movement where it is illustrated in Fig. 3, without, however, affecting any movement of the spring carrier 9|. In this manner the core of the valve 41 is rotated so as to interconnect the inlet 49 with the working oriflce which communicates with the passage 44 and through it with the interior 92 of the head 99 at the outer end 29 of the cylinder I2. At the same time the other working oriflce. i. e., the one which communicates with the inner end 29 of the cylinder through the tubing 99, is placed in communication with the outlet 9i. Inasmuch as the inlet 49 is continually in communication with any suitable source of fluid pressure such as a city water supply, this describedmovement of the valve core will cause fluid pressure to be imposed upon the facing 29 of the head 24 through the port 9|; and masmuch as the pressure of fluid against the inner face of the head 2| of the. plunger has been relieved (since the port 38 and tubing 53 are in commimieation with the outlet theplunger I3 will move to theright as viewed upon Figures 1 andz. Immediately this occurs, fluid will fiow through the-portg3l and thus impose its pressure against the outer face of the plunger 2| which fits the cylinder I2, thereby causing the plunger I3 'tomove to the inner end 28 of the cylinder, and effecting opening "of the door 8. Upon completion of the plungers" stroke, the valve 38 engages the valve seat 31, thereby closing the port 38. Inasmuch as fluid pressure remains imposed upon the plunger, the' fluid pressure itself serves to press the valve 38 into intimate engagement with the seat 31 as long as the door remains in its fully opened position, thereby effectually sealing the port 38 against escape of fluid as long as the door remainsmotionless, even though the plunger head 2| might seal with the valve core and valve arm 58 as illustrated in- Fig. 3, wherethe spring 88 remains until the wire I08 again is pulled. This raises the link I22 in the manner previously described and moves the upperend of the valve arm 58 far enough to carry the spring 88 sufiiciently beyond the dead center position for the spring to snap the arm back to the position of the arm 58 illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 4, but again without afiecting any movement of the spring carrier, 1. e., leaving it in the position thereof shown in both Figures 3 and 4. This of course returns the valve core to that position in which the inlet 48 is in communication with the tubing 53 and through it with the port 38 at the inner end 29 of the cylinder I2. At the same time the passage 44 which communicates with the outer end 28 of the cylinder is placed in communication with the outlet 5|; therefore, the fiuid pressure causes the plunger to move outwards carrying with it the door 8 to its closed position.

As the plunger starts this" outward motion, i. e., the motion thereof which is coincident with the closing movement of the door, the hook 84 on the rod 8| returns the spring-carrier 51 to the position thereof which is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, but, of course, without moving the arm 58, and thereby cooking the spring 88 so that the mechanism is in readiness for subsequent operation to cause immediate opening of the door as soon as the wire I88 is pulled. It is of importance that this cocking of the spring and its carrier arm occurs at the start of the closing movement of the door, inasmuch as after the mechanism has been so cocked the door can be caused to open instantly the wire I88 is pulled. For example, if after the mechanism had been actuated to start the door towards its closed position a child should run under the door or it should be observed that some object is dangerously-near the position towards which the door is moving, it is necessary only to pull upon the wire' 'lll9, whereupon the door immediately will be caused to return to its open position without having first to complete its closing movement.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a slightly modified former construction provided with means for 5 cushioning both the opening and closing movements of the door and thereby preventing its slamming. The plunger I3 is provided with a rod I5| projecting 'beyond the inner face of the valve 31' far enough to enter the port 38'. as the plunger approaches its inner extreme of movement. The rod |8I is of slightly less diameter than the port 38' so that after the rod has entere'd the port fluid can continue to flow through the port 38 and to the outlet, but at a'greatly reduced rate; therefore, the movement of the plunger I3 and the door as the latter approaches the extreme of 'its opening movement will be greatly retarded, thus permitting the' door to come gently to rest at its fully opened position. similarly, an enlarged portion I52 is provided upon the rod I4 of the plunger I3 projecting outwards from the valve 24. This enlarged portion I52 is of sufilciently-less diameter than the port 3| to permit the fluid to continue to flow through theport 3| after the enlarged portion I52 has entered the port, but at a rate sufficiently retarded to dampen the closing movement of the door and thereby cause the door to come gently to rest in its fully closed position.

' The hanger H3 whereby the operator is mounted preferably comprises abracket I54 adapted to be rigidly aflixed to a beam or other supporting structure, a band I55 encircling the cylinder I2 and rigidly aflixed thereto, and a link I58 pivoted at one end to the bracket I54 and at the other end to the band I55. This arrangement permits the operator to adjust itself automatically to the door 8 when being open and closed. Also, the apparatus can be so installed that the stroke of the plunger is slightly longer than necessary to effect completion of movement of the door in either direction; and therefore the inclusion of the link I58 reduces the degree of accuracy which must be adhered to when the apparatus is installed. The position of the hanger 3 with respect to the cylinder and plunger is of importance, the preferable ar- Figure 11', wherein means are provided to pro-- tect the apparatus against being made inoperative by freezing of its energizing fluid when low temperatures are encountered. An improved type of 4-way valve |8Il .a1so is shown in this figure, but inasmuch as its interior construction will be more fullydescribed hereinbelow, it will sufiice for the purpose of describing the apparatus of Figure 9 to state that it comprises a housing I8I having an inlet I82, an outlet I83, two

working orifices I84 and I88, and a stem I8l' which instead of being rotatable as in the case of the valve 41 previously described, is mounted for longitudinal reciprocatory movement. As will become apparent from the description to follow,

when the stem is in communication with one of the working orifices, say the orifice I84, and the other working orifice I88 communicates with the outlet I83; and when the stem I81 is in its other extreme position, the connections are reversed, i. e., the inlet I82 communicates with izleloeraifice I88 and the orifice I84 with the outcussion is intended for use in localities where by any suitable means such :(not

shown). The worki s lflflc'esl l and I68 are below-freezing temperaturesare expected. In 7 order to protect the apparatus, it is intended that the valve I88 be installed inside a; suitable enclosed space where the temperature is not permitted to drop dangerously low, even though such enclosed space be situated at a material distance from the garage, the door of which is to be controlled, and to connect the valve with the door engine, which, of course, must be situated adjacent the door, and therefore is subject to the temperature prevailing within the garage, by conduits containing suitable fluid not subject to freezing at the low temperatures expected to be encountered there. Consequently, each of the working orifices I 64, I 66, communicates with mears for transmitting the pressure of the water flowing through that orifice to a fluid having a lower freezing point, but without permitting intermingling of the two fluids. Towards this end the working orifices I64,- I66 communicate with the lower ends of cylinders I68 and I68 respectively, as by conduits HI and I12 respectively. The lower portions of the cylinders I68 and I68, the conduits HI and I12,

' and the valve I6I are filled with water supplied thereto through the inlet I62 which communicates with a suitable water supply system. However, the upper portions of the cylinders I68 and I68 are filled with fluid I13 having a sufil ciently lower freezing point,.such as oil, or in some instances merely a salt solution. If the fluid I18 selected diflers in specific gravity from that of water to such a degree that intermingling of the two fluids will be avoided with sufllcient assurance merely because of the tendency of the non-freezing fluid to remain supernatent upon the water within the cylinders, it may in some instances be unnecessary to provide mechanical means for preventing their intermingling. However, flexible diaphragms may be employed for this purpose, if desired, or each of the cylinders I68, I68, maybe provided with a plate I14, I16, respectively, fitted to the interior of its associated cylinder for reciprocatory sliding movement longitudinally of its cylinder, but without permitting any material leakage therepast of either of the two fluids which it separates.

The valve I68, however, is intended to be operated in the same fashion as the valve 41 previously described, 1. e., merely by tripp n its actuating lever I8I so that a previously cocked spring I82 can snap the lever I8I across to its alternative position. Inasmuch as the moving portions of the door engine upon which reliance is placed in the previously described modification to cock the spring are disposed at a point remote from the valve I88, means are provided in association with the valve I68 for cocking the spring I82, which means are actuated by the fluid moving between the valve I68 and the eviinders I68 and I68. With this object in view, both of e conduits Ill and I12 communicate with acylinder I88 upon opposite sides on a plunger I84 which is reciprocable therein and the stem I86 of which extends through a suitable packing I81 into-engagement with the springcarrying arm I88 between which and the valve arm I8I the spring I82 is under tension. Preferably a degree of sliding movement of the stem I86 with respect to the spring carrier I88 is permitted, the extent of this movement, however, being limited by stops III and I82 which can'be locked in'selected position upon the stem I86 w i assume As indicated, the apparatus here-under dis'-,

at all times in communication with the..conduits m and m respectively; but inasmuch. as this communication is through the associated end of v the cylinder I88, whatever pressure is imposed upon the fluid within the conduit I1I will also I84, whereas the pressure of the fluid within the suitable means (not shown).

conduit I12 will be imposed upon the other face of the plunger I84. stem I61 of the valve I68 is moved so as to place the inlet I62 in communication with the working orifice I64 and thence through the associated end of the cylinder I88 and the conduit I1I with the cylinder I68, full pressure will be imposed upon the outer end of the plunger I84; and inasmuch as the other working orifice I88 is simultaneously placed in communication withthe outlet I68, thus relieving the pressure of the fluid at the working orifice I66 pressure will simultaneously be relieved from the inner face of the plunger I84. Therefore, the plunger I84 will be caused to move to the right as viewed upon Figure 11, carrying with it its stem I86 and causing the spring-carrier I88 to swing from the dotted line position in that figure to the position thereof indicated in full lines. This tensions the spring I82 and places it so'nearly in its dead-center position with respect to the axis about which the valve arm I8I swings that only a slight movement of the arm I8I from its full line position will be required to enable the spring I82 to complete moving the valve arm I8I to the right to the position thereof indicated in broken lines, carrying with it the valve stem I61 which is connected thereto by Similarly when the stem I61 of the valve I68 ismoved to that position wherein the inlet I62 communicates with the working orifice I66, the action just described will be reversed inasmuch as full pressure will be imposed upon the inner face of the plunger I84 and pressure will be relieved from its outer face, thereby causing the plunger,I84, its stem I86, and the spring-carrier I88, to be moved to'the position thereof indicated in broken lines, thus tensioning the spring and placing it so close to its dead-center position so that only a slight movement of the valve arm I8I from its broken line position will be required before the spring I82 can snap it across to its full line position, carrying with it the valve stem I61. 1

As in the previously described modification, the valve arm I8I- receives its initial impulse by means of a link I86 and bell-crank I81. Figure 11 also illustrates a modified form of apparatus for connecting the bell crank I" to the remotely situated actuating handle I88. This is a hydraulic apparatus and comprises a small bellows 28I adapted to be expanded by fluid pressure thereinside and provided with a rod 282 is controlled by an apparatus of the present in- Consequently, when the vention. The tubing 286 communicates with the bottom of the cylinder 281 within which a plunger 288 is reciprocable, this plunger being continually urged upwards'within the cylinder 281 as by a spring 289 and preferably being provided with a check valve 2I8. The plunger 288 is connected as by a connecting rod 2 with an arm 2I2 which is rigid with a shaft 2l3 upon which the actuating handle I98 is aflix'ed. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the handle I98 is depressed, the arm 2I2- pushes the connecting. rod 2 and the plunger 288 downwards, thereby forcing fluid from the cylinder 281 through the tubing 286 and into the bellows 28I which are thus caused to expand sufiiciently to operate the bell-crank I91 and trip the valve lever I8I. The cylinder 281 extends for a material height above the top of the plunger 288 which it contains, thereby providing amaterial space 2 above the plunger which serves as a reservoir for excess fluid; hence any slight leakage of fluid past the plunger 288 is immaterial inasmuch as it will return to the cylinder 281 below the plunger 288 as the spring 289 urges the plunger 288 to its idle position. Similarly, the reservoir 2 will take care of any expansion of the fluid within the tubing and cylinder due to temperature changes and the like permitting the plunger 288 to be fitted sufliciently loosely for fluid to escape therepast at a rate sufficient to compensate for such variations in volume but without impairing the efliciency of the plunger 288 in imposing pressure upon the fluid within the cylinder and tubing 286 when the handle I98 is depressed.

This hydraulic actuating mechanism possesses the added advantage that it facilitates provid- .ing additional handles 2I6 at other locations, each of these additional handles 2I6 being provided with a bellows 2" adapted to be collapsed when its associated handle 2I6 is actuated, or suitable mechanical equivalent. Each of these additional bellows (of which only one is illustrated) is connected as by tubing 2I8 to the tubing 286 so that the bellows 28I is expanded each time any one of the bellows 2I1 is actuated.

Referring now to Figures 12 to 15 inclusive, it will be seen that the housing I6I of the valve I68 has a passageway 22I extending longitudinally thereof. The outlet I63 communicates with an end of the passage 22 I; and adjacent each of its ends the passage 22I communicates by openings 222 and 223 respectively with the ends of a second bore 224 which extends longitudinally of the housing I6I preferably parallel to the manifold passage 22I. This second bore 224 is divided into five compartments 226, 221, 228, 229 and 238, respectively; and the outer end of the bore 224 is closed by a threaded plug 23I through which the stem I61 extends, suitable packing 232 being employed to permit the stem I61 to reciprocate without leakage of fluid between the stem I61 and the plug 23I. The five compartments 226 to 238 inclusive are defined by suitable partitions 232 retained in spaced relationship by tubular spacers 233 which fit the bore 226. Each of the four partitions 232 has a central aperture or port 234 and the stem I61 extends through all of these aligned ports234. Within each of the compartments 221 and 229 a valve head 236 and 231 respectively is disposed and both of these valve heads are afiixed to the stem I61. Parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the stem I 61 is at one end of its stroke, say moved to the right as viewed upon Figure 18, both valve heads 236 and 231 engage the respective partitions 232 which define the right hand end of the compartment within which the valve heads are disposed. closing the ports 234. in those partitions. This of course leaves the ports 234 in the partitions at the left hand ends of the compartments 221 and 229 open, consequently the compartment 221 communicates with the compartment 226 and thence through the opening 222 with the outlet ma lifold passage 22I. Also the compartment 229 permanently communicates with) the central compartment 228. Therefore, water under pressure from the water supply system is permitted to flow by way of the compartments 228 and 229 to the working orifice which communicates with the compartment 229 which, as described hereinabove, communicates with one end of the cylinder I2 of the door motor either directly or indirectly through apparatus such as that illustrated at the top of Figure 11. The other working orifice I64 communicates in a similar manner with the other end of the cylinder, hence a quantity of fluid corback into the valve through the working orifice I64 which communicates with the compartment 221 which, as stated, is open to the outlet I63.

. When the valve stem I61 is in its alternative position the valve heads 236 and 231 close the ports 234 in the partitions 232 which define the left hand ends of the compartments 221 and 229 respectively. Hence water supplied through the inlet I62 goes to the compartment 221 and thence through the working orifice I64 which communicates with that end of the cylinder I2 toward which the plunger I3 was caused to move before the stem I61 was moved into the position now'being described. Therefore the plunger will now be caused to move back toward its first position forcing fluid back into the valve I68 through the working orifice I66 and thence through the compartments 229 and 238 through the opening 223 and into the outlet manifold passage 22I.

A feature of this valve I68 is that it operates with utmost ease, being balanced, and with a minimum length of stroke of the stem I61 to eflect complete reversal of the direction of flow of fluid through the working orifices I64 and I66. Due to the tapering configuration of the opposed faces of the valve heads 236 and 231 only a relatively short stroke of the valve heads is necessary to remove them from their respective valve seats in the partitions 232 to present an area in the minimum space between the valve and the valve seat, at .least as large as the minimum cross sectional area of the port 234 and thereby assure maximum flow. Another important feature of the valve I68 is that the stem I61 passes through the compartment 238 which is always in communication with the outlet I63, before passing through the packing 232 to the exterior of the valve; hence there never will be any pressure of fluid against the packing 232 in excess of that which prevails in the outlet or waste pipe and thereby offering substantially positive assurance that no leakage of fluid will occur around the stem I61.

It is preferred that actuating means for the valve I68 be provided which when performing its working stroke moves in only one direction, thus permitting the use of a flexible cord upon which tensioncan be imposed in order to actuate the valve stem I61 and cause it to move in either direction. This arrangement adapts the valve ill for use in connection with a tension cord or cable such as the cord III of Figures 1 and 9 or a hydraulically operated mechanism such as that of Figure 11. One simple means for attaining this result is illustrated in Figures 12, 14, and 15 and it comprises a bracket 2 amxedto one end of the housing iii and having a shaft 242 journaled therein, the shaft 242 being disposed in a plane perpendicular to that of the stem I61.-

Mounted rotatably on the shaft 242 is a drum or shiev 243 to which the cord 2 is affixed after being wound around the drum 243 far enough to assure rotation of the drum 243 through 180 each time the cord 2 is pulled. A spring 246 preferably encircling the shaft 242 resists such rotation with the result that when the cord 2 is released the spring 2 will return the drum 233 to its starting position. The extent of rotation of the drum each time the cord 2 is pulled is limited by stops 2" and 2 carried by the drum in position to engage a detent 243 carried by the bracket 2. The drum 243 can slide axially upon the shaft 242, the same spring 243 serving to resist such sliding movement and to press the drum 243 downwards as viewed upon Figures 10 and 12 so that a dog 25l on the lower face of the drum is disposed in position to engage a dog 252 which is carried by an eccentric 253 also mounted for free rotation upon the shaft 242. Journaled upon eccentric 253 is an eccentric strap 2" connected as by a pin 256 with the valve stem iii in such a manner that when the eccentric 253 turns through 180 the stem I" is moving from one extreme of its movement to the other. The back faces of the dogs 25i and 252 are disposed obliquely so that after the valve stem I" has been thus moved by rotation of the cam 253 imparted thereto by pulling upon the cord 2, the cord 2 can be released whereupon the spring 246 will rotate the drum 243 back to its starting position without similarly returning the eccentric 253 because the slipping surfaces of the dogs which then come in contact with each other merely cause the drum 2 to be pressed away from the eccentric 253 permitting the dogs to ride over each other without imparting rotation to the eccentric.

I claim:

1. In an operating mechanism of the character described, an hydraulic engine comprising a reciprocable piston, hydraulic means for moving said piston in either direction, and control means for determining in which direction said piston shall move, said control means comprising a valve adapted to be placed in either of two optional positions to direct hydraulic fluid to said engine upon the associated side of said piston, spring means for actuating said valve, and means actuated by saidpiston in moving in either direction for deforming said spring to store energy therein and for moving said spring to that position wherein it yieldablv retains said valve in its then position but requires only slight movement of the valve from said position to cause said spring to urge this valve to move to its opposite position, movement of said spring by said piston while said piston is moving in one direction occurring as said piston is in the final portion of its stroke, and movement of said spring by said piston while said piston is moving in the opposite direction, occurring as said piston is in the initial portion of its stroke.

2. In an operating mechanism of the character described, an hydraulic engine comprising a reciprocable piston, hydraulic means for moving said piston in either direction, and control means for determining in which direction said piston shall move, said control means comprising a valve adapted to be placed in either of two optional positions to direct hydraulic fluid tosaid engine upon the associated side of said piston, an oscillatably mounted spring carrier, a spring stressed between said carrier and said valve in position to urge said valve to either of said valves positions while said carrier is in either of its extreme positions but requiring, for each position of said carrier, only slight tripping movement of said valve from one of its said positions for said spring to move said valve to its other position, and means operated by said piston just prior to its reaching one of its extremes of movement and again as the piston is just leaving that same extreme of movement for reversing the position of said spring carrier, and means for tripping said valve.

3. In an operating mechanism of the character described, an hydraulic engine comprising a reciprocable piston, hydraulic means for .moving said piston in either direction, and control means for determining in which direction said piston shall move, said control means comprising a valve adapted to be placed in either of two optional positions to direct hydraulic fluid to said engine upon the associated side of said piston, an oscillatably mounted spring carrier, a spring stressed between said carrier and said valve in position to urge said valve to either of said valves positions while said carrier is in either of its extreme positions but requiring, for each position of said carrier, only slight tripping movement of said valve from one of its said positions for said spring to move said valve to its other position, and means operable independently of said piston and from a position remote from said engine for tripping said valve, said valve tripping means being operable in either positions of said valve.

4. In an operating mechanism of the character described, an hydraulic engine comprising a reciprocable piston, hydraulicmeans for moving said piston in either direction, and control means for determining in whichdirection said piston shall move and comprising a valve mounted for rotary movement to either of two optional positions 'to direct hydraulic fluid to said engine upon the associated side of said piston, an arm rigid with said valve and extending radially therefrom to one side of a line parallel to the direction of movement of said piston and through the axis of rotation of said valve, a spring carrier rotatable on said valve and extending. radially therefrom to the other side of said line, a spring interconnecting said arm and carrier and urging them to rotate toward each other, means actuated by said piston in moving in either direction for turning said rotatable arm away from said rigid arm through an angular distance slightly less than that necessary to carry the line of action of said spring past he axis of rotation of said valve and thereby placing said spring in readiness for subsequent reversal of the position of said valve.

HAROLD A. asasuwaio. 

